Hard to believe that the time of year has come again that the temperatures are hitting over one hundred degrees. Naturally, with temperatures this hot, it is important to stay hydrated.

I am not a big fan of water. I have to be really thirsty to want to drink plain water. I guess I like more flavor; however, I understand that water really is the best thing to drink so I reach for flavored water now.

I make mine fairly simple – just add ice and fresh fruits, vegetables, or herbs of your choice (added bonus points if they are from your garden) to your water and let sit for a couple of hours in the refrigerator before drinking. If I am feeling really adventurous, I will make sparkling water with my soda maker.

If you have never made flavored water, below are some of my favorite recipes. So, make, drink up and stay hydrated!

Flavored Water Drinks

1. Strawberries and Lime

I love strawberries from my head down to my toes. The strawberry season here starts early and ends quickly. It is almost heartbreaking to me. I do freeze some but by mid-September, they are all gone and I’m more focused on things like, you know, pumpkin!

Either way, this one is refreshing and adds a nice zing with the lime.

2. Lemon and Basil

I started growing my own basil last summer and let me tell you – does that stuff grow like crazy in the heat. Making basil water was an easy way to use some of the basil.

Lemon water is already popular in the United States so I feel like this is an easy one to understand why I would add the lemon in addition to the basil.

3. Cucumber and Lemon

I tried this one for the first time at Williams-Sonoma. The thin slices made it look cute and it tasted refreshingly delicious. I went back for a second cup before I left and then promptly went to the farmers market (I need lemon trees), then to my kitchen and sipped this deliciousness at dinner. Thanks, Williams-Sonoma.

4. Orange and Kiwi

What a delicious, refreshing way to start the morning! Okay, let’s be honest, the addition of oranges and kiwis to water any time of day sounds delicious. It is making me thirsty right now.

5. Blueberries and Mint

Blueberries and mint are two things that grow very well in my garden so I make this on a regular basis as it helps me use up the garden goodies in a unique and interesting way. Even my girls ask for more of this combination.

6. Honey and Lemon

I know I have been talking about cold water on hot days but this recipe is perfect for the days you are feeling under the weather because of a sore throat. Warm the honey and water in the microwave for about two minutes, then add the lemon and let cool until drinkable.

This is the recipe I go to when I am feeling under the weather; it is simple, yet amazing.

7. Strawberries and Basil

The sweetness of the strawberries combined with the tartness of the basil is like tickling the taste buds when I start sipping. An added benefit of all of these recipes is they also appeal to the eye as well as taste.

8. Mango, Cucumber, and Ginger

This recipe is unique tasting but helps with digestion. Have an upset stomach but cannot stand (or do not want) Pepto Bismol? Try this immune booster, the ginger will aid in helping your stomach ache go away.

9. Grapes, Raspberries, and Cucumbers

I think I must be stuck on cucumbers. It makes sense though, with the peel on, a cucumber ends up being ninety-five percent water. Another one equally as high is iceberg lettuce but don’t expect me to put that in my water!

Getting back on topic, this recipe causes a detox and is an anti-inflammatory. So if either of these is something you struggle with – this might help! Plus water hydrates you which give us energy.

10. Ginger, Cucumber, and Lemon

Adding these three together will help with your desire to have sugar. I think part of the reason we want sugar so badly is because we crave flavor and sugar (just like salt) gives us a sweet flavor. Without even adding any of the sweet stuff in these recipes, we are increasing our flavor without compromising our waistline from the excess sugars in our drinks!

11. Lemon and Mint

Have you heard that drinking a cup of lemon water in the morning and before bed is a good idea? That may actually be the case because it gives you a metabolism boost. Plus, as I mentioned before the water keeps us energized.

12. Blood Orange and Mango

The blood orange makes this drink extra colorful and adds a unique tartness to the drink. If you prefer something with a little bit of acidic taste (think orange juice) this would be your drink of preference.

13. Lemon and Raspberry

When I am craving a lemonade but don’t want the extra sugar, this is my go-to. I love the combination of the lemon and raspberry together.

During the spring months, I begin to crave Arnold Palmers (tea and lemonade mix) and many times I will add some tea to this mixture as well; however, my husband and I stopped drinking sweet tea two and a half years ago. Just one day we decided it and went cold turkey the next time we made tea. That being said – we don’t add sugar.

14. Watermelon

This is a fun one to add to a blender. Just as with the cucumber, watermelons are called watermelon for a reason, they are ninety-five percent water as well. I am not a big fan of watermelons so I make this one for the girls, adding water and refrigerated watermelon slices into the blender and make watermelon slushies.

15. Peaches with a Splash of Vanilla

Oh, dear sweet peaches. They are arguably one of my most favorite mid-summer treats. Cutting them up, putting them in the fridge, coming back and adding them to water and then putting in a (very small) splash of vanilla is a nice way to get my water intake up and kill that sweet tooth.

16. Peaches and Mint

I recommend this one with sparkling water. The first time I tried this I made it before dinner and then poured it after the girls went to bed, adding it to a wine glass. Even though it was water, I felt very sophisticated and truly enjoyed the experience.

17. Lemon and Lavender

I won’t lie lavender is something I am still getting used to in my recipes. I never thought of this flower as something to put in a drink. Now, I am not saying it’s bad, just different if you have never tried it before.

The lavender has a very mild taste but it is distinct. If you’re up for new, creative culinary adventures then I recommend this. If you like to stick to the norm, I would not add this flavor to the list.

Hey – it’s your water!

18. Cherry and Lime

Cherry Limeade nay sugar, anyone? Anyone?

Consider me sold! I always pit my cherries up and cut them in half when I make this recipe. Again, I add sparkling water to this drink just about anytime I make it.

19. Orange and Vanilla

Anytime I make orange infused water I make them as a morning treat. Adding the vanilla extract gives it an orange creamsicle-ish taste which means my girls go for it in the afternoons after swimming in their grandfather’s natural pool.

20. Lemon, Lime, and Orange

This one is a good for a treat anytime. With lots of citruses added to the water – it combines a sweet and tang all in one. I will say – almost opposite of what I just said – this one makes for a great all-day drink.

21. Orange and Fennel

Yes, you read that right, I said fennel. A big part of what you are getting here is the smell. Do you know what fennel smells like? It smells like black licorice. It tastes amazing though – so if you like the smell of black licorice, I recommend this treat. If not then opt for something else.

22. Apple Cinnamon Water

I live in a state where the weather is hot, very hot, all the way until mid-to-late October. This makes it very difficult to get into the fall mood, so I do two things – I make frozen hot chocolate (like the one at Serendipity in New York City) and I make apple cinnamon water.

The only thing with this one is there is an extra step. Infuse your water for eight (plus) hours and the strain it using a tea-towel or cheesecloth. This step can be skipped if you are okay with the little chunks of cinnamon. I am not so I separate and then re-add the apples.

23. Strawberries and Blueberries

This one is fun and patriotic. During the summer time, it seems all of our major holidays are themed around patriotism from Memorial Day, to the Fourth of July, and then Labor Day. What a fun way to show your spirit and sip delicousness!

24. Blackberries and Lime

This summer my girls found a blackberry bush in the back of their Aunt's house and brought a bunch in. My oldest daughter devoured them and so I went back and got some more in order to make this sweetly tart and refereshing treat.

It's fun to experiment with new things and even more fun when the girls really enjoy it!

25. Cucumber, Lime, and Basil

This one is fun because most of our other recipes have focused on foods from different colors. The different colors are beneficial beause it gives you more photochemicals but sometimes having an infused water with the same colors adds a sense of dimension you don't get from a multi-colored drink.

Wihereas, with the cucumber, lime, and basil recipe it is obvious that the basil is darker than the lime.

26. Strawberry, Lime, and Cinnamon

This is supposed to be one of those “fat detox” drinks. The cinnamon aids in digestion I know but everything else, I just think “okay” to. It is tasty and delicous, though with any of the cinnamon drinks, I recommend straining before drinking.

27. An Everything Drink

Best way to end this article is to remind you that all of this depends on your tastebuds and what you like. Many of these were just wacky “I have a bunch in the garden anyways” recipe that have turned out well and leave both my kids and my husband asking for more.

Try something out of the ordinary like the strawberry, lime, and cinnamon or opt for something more simple like the strawberry and lemon.

Also, don't forget that you can be creative with it – add the blended fruit to an ice cube tray and add the ice cubes to water if you're wanting an immediate effect of the flavors. Or, if you like that crushed slushy treat, blend together cold or frozen fruit/vegetables/herbs to your water and blend.